Markandeya Jayanti 2025 - Festival of immortality and devotion of sage Markandeya

Markandeya Jayanti is a sacred festival of Hinduism, which is celebrated in the memory of the great saint and immortal sage Markandeya. This Jayanti is celebrated on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Magh month according to the Hindu calendar. On this day devotees worship sage Markandeya and worship Lord Shiva.

Sage Markandeya is famous for his knowledge, penance and exclusive devotion to Lord Shiva. His story teaches us that even death can be defeated with true devotion and penance.

Who was Sage Markandeya?

Sage Markandeya (Sanskrit: Mārkaṇḍeya) was a great sage mentioned in Hindu texts. He was the son of sage Mrikand and his wife Manasvini.

He is mentioned in the Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana and Markandeya Purana. Rishi Markandeya is included in the Ashta Chiranjivi (eight immortal personalities) in Hinduism, who live for ages.

Importance of Markandeya Jayanti

1. Inspiration to win over death
The story of Markandeya Rishi shows that even death can be defeated with true devotion and penance. On this day, people worship Lord Shiva and Markandeya Rishi and wish for happiness, prosperity and longevity in life.

2. Festival of Shiva devotion
Markandeya Rishi was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He got freedom from death by worshiping Shivling. On this day, special worship, Abhishek and Rudrabhishek of Shivling is done.

3. Symbol of religion and penance
Markandeya Jayanti teaches us that all obstacles in life can be overcome by regular sadhana, good deeds and devotion to God.

The story of Sage Markandeya and Yamraj

• The most famous story of Sage Markandeya is that of his salvation from Yamraj.
  1. His father Mrikand Rishi performed severe penance to Shiva to get a son, but Shiva gave him two options:
  2. A virtuous and religious son, who would live only 16 years.
• A long-lived son, but he would be dim-witted and immoral.
• Mrikand Rishi chose the first option and Markandeya was born.
• When he saw his death approaching, he immersed himself in severe penance to Lord Shiva.
• When Yamraj came to take his life, he held the Shivling tightly and started calling Lord Shiva.
• Yamraj threw his noose, which also wrapped around the Shivling.
• This enraged Lord Shiva, and he attacked Yamraj, defeated him and revived him.
• Shiva gave the boon of immortality to Markandeya and he always remained 16 years old.

For this reason Lord Shiva is called Kalantak (destroyer of death).

Markandeya Jayanti Puja Vidhi

1. Fasting and Upvaas

• On this day, devotees observe fast and worship Lord Shiva and Rishi Markandeya.
• Fasting brings longevity, health and prosperity.

2. Shivling Puja

• Lord Shiva is anointed with water, milk, Gangajal, honey and Belpatra.
• Rudrabhishek and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra are chanted specially.

3. Katha Paath and Havan

• On this day, Markandeya Purana and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra are recited.
• Havan and Yagya are also organized at some places.

4. Charity and Service

• Donating food, clothes and Dakshina to the poor and needy is considered extremely auspicious.
• There is also a tradition of feeding fodder to cows and feeding Brahmins on this day.

Chanting Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

Om Trimbakam Yajamahe Sugandhi Pushtivardhanam.
Urvarukamiv Bandhananmrityormukshiya Mamritat॥

Chanting this mantra 1008 times frees one from the fear of death and brings happiness and prosperity in life.

Sapta Chiranjeevi Mantra

aśvatthāmā balirvyāsō hanumāṁśca vibhīṣaṇaḥ।
kṛpaḥ paraśurāmaśca saptaitai cirañjīvinaḥ॥
saptaitān saṁsmarēnnityaṁ mārkaṇḍēyamathāṣṭamam।
jīvēdvarṣaśataṁ sopi sarvavyādhivivarjitaḥ॥

Chanting this mantra provides longevity and health.

At the end

Markandeya Jayanti is not just a religious festival but an inspirational day which teaches us that any crisis can be avoided with true devotion, penance and dedication to God.

This festival gives us the message of devotion to Shiva, victory over death, and the power of Dharma.

On this auspicious occasion, let us all worship Lord Shiva and Rishi Markandeya, adopt their teachings in our lives and move towards a happy, healthy and prosperous life.

Jai Shiv Shankar! Jai Rishi Markandeya! 🚩🙏